MELCHIZEDEK

Passage: Hebrews 7:1-10

Key verse: 3

NIV

Melchizedek the Priest

7 This Melchizedek was king of Salem(A) and priest of God Most High.(B) He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,(C) 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy,(D) without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God,(E) he remains a priest forever.

4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch(F) Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!(G) 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people(H)—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed(I) him who had the promises.(J) 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.(K) 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Priestly Order of Melchizedek

7 For this (A)Melchizedek, king of (B)Salem, priest of (C)the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother (D)or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham (E)the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And (F)those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers,[a] though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man (G)who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed (H)him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one (I)of whom it is testified that (J)he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

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Footnotes
  1. Hebrews 7:5 Or brothers and sisters
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. King and Priest (1-3)

In Genesis 14, God sent Abram a shepherd in time of temptation. Melchizedek blessed Abram. He was king of Salem (peace) and priest of God Most High. His name means 'king of righteousness.' Abram accepted God's word from him. Abram pledged his fealty to God Most High and gave Melchizedek a tenth of the plunder to symbolize his commitment to God alone. After this, he did not compromise with the world--he would accept nothing from the king of Sodom.

2. Priest of God Most High (4-1

)

Melchizedek, who blessed Abraham, was greater than he, and thereby, greater than Levi, Abraham's descendant. Under the Law, priests must be descendants of Levi. Melchizedek was an exception to the law, and Jesus is too. He is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. He is the Son of God, without beginning of days or end of life.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for sending Jesus to be my high priest. I renew my commitment to you today.

One Word: A new commitment to God Most High